ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Transcription

1 BY FAX/CAMP BAG ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI SHARAN PAL SINGH SECRETARY No.437/6/99/PLN-III Dated: 14 th July 1999 To, 1. The Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. 2. The Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories, 3. Chief Electoral Officers of All States and Union Territories. Subject: Use of Government Aircrafts/Helicopters - regarding. Sir, Consequent on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, preparatory work for conducting the elections for the 13 th Lok Sabha and completing it by 21 st October, 1999, has already started. The Country is already in the election mode. For this purpose, the Commission has announced the schedule for holding General Election to the Lok Sabha, 1999 on 11 th July, Accordingly, the Commission reiterates its existing instructions on use of aircrafts/helicopters and motor cars and vehicles in connection with election related work by political personalities, whether in office or outside. A copy of the instructions issued on 9 th April, 1996 is enclosed for ready reference. In respect of use of aircrafts/helicopters, by all concerned except the Prime Minister in office, your particular attention is drawn to para 2.4 of the letter extracted below.

2 The use of State owned aircraft (Whether fixed wing or helicopter) propelled at State cost or hired at State cost will not be permitted for any reason including security. No exception in this regard will be made. It may please be noted that these restrictions apply with respect to all aircrafts/helicopters owned by the Central and State Government as well as Department Organisations and Public Sector Undertakings. Kindly acknowledge receipt and ensure that the instructions of the Commission are strictly followed by all concerned authorities. Yours faithfully, ( SHARAN PAL SINGH )

3 BY FAX/BY SPECIAL CAMP BAG. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI No.437/6/96-PLN-III Dated: April 09, 1996 To, 1. The Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. 2. The Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories, 3. Chief Electoral Officers of All States and Union Territories. Subject: General Elections Security cover to Ministers/Candidates. Sir/Madam, 1. Instructions have been issued from time to time on the question of use of aircraft/helicopter and motor cars and vehicles in connection with election work by political personalities, whether in office or outside. The following instructions are issued in consolidation/modification of all other instructions in this regard and should be scrupulously followed with immediate effect :- 2.1 No part of the present instructions may be treated as effecting any modification whatsoever in regard to the existing instructions regarding the travel and the provision of facilities including transport and security, for the Prime Minister even when he is travelling specifically for party and election work. The existing instructions should be scrupulously adhered to. 2.2 All the remaining political personalities including both those in office e.g. Minister of the Union Government or Chief Minister or Minister of the State Government or occupants of any other public office such as Chairman of a

4 State Corporation, Cooperative etc. And those not in any public office will be governed by this order. 2.3 No relaxation can be made to any person with regard to the absolute ban on the use of Government owned/funded/hired means of transport for any reason other than security. These exclusions refer for example to age, state of health etc.; and to all manner of vehicles. 2.4 The use of State owned aircraft (whether fixed wing or helicopter) propelled at State cost or hired at State cost will not be permitted for any reason including security. No exceptions in this regard will be made. 2.5 In respect of persons covered by security, the use of State owned one bullet proof vehicle for the particular person (PP) will be permitted in all cases where the security agencies, including the intelligence authorities, have prescribed such use. The use of multiple cars in the name of stand-by should not be permitted unless so specifically prescribed by security authorities. The cost of propulsion of such bullet proof vehicles where such use of bullet proof vehicles is specified will be borne by the particular person whether he is in office or out, and whether he is a candidate or not. 2.6 The number of vehicles to accompany the carcade including pilots, escorts etc. will be strictly in accordance with the instructions laid down by the security authorities and shall not exceed them under any circumstances. The cost of propulsion of all such vehicles, whether owned by Government or hired vehicles, will be met by the State Government. No recovery need be made also on the cost of the manpower provided. 2.7 In all cases where a party or a candidate hires a private aircraft/helicopter for any reason whatsoever, the complete cost will be included as part of election expenditure without exception. 2.8 All persons who are included in the category of ex-prime Ministers are also covered by these instructions and are not entitled to the special stipulations provided for the Prime Minister in office. 2.9 No relaxation can be provided on any considerations including those of security to any one regarding the use of loudspeakers whether fitted on vehicles or otherwise.

5 Yours faithfully, ( K.P.G. KUTTY ) SECRETARY